Polarization observables in $e^+e^-$ annihilation to a baryon-antibaryon pair

Abstract

Using the helicity formalism of Jacob and Wick we derive spin density matrices of baryon antibaryon pairs produced in $e^+e^-$ annihilation. We consider the production of pairs with spins $1/2+\overline{1/2}$, $1/2+\overline{3/2}$ (+c.c.) and $3/2+\overline{3/2}$. We provide modular expressions to include chains of weak hadronic two-body decays of the produced hyperons. The expressions are suitable for the analysis of high statistics data from $J/\psi$ and $\psi(2S)$ decays at $e^+e^-$ colliders, by fits to the fully differential angular distributions of the measured particles. We illustrate the method by examples, such as the inclusive measurement of the $e^+e^-\to\psi(2S)\to\Omega^-\bar\Omega^+$ process where one decay chain $\Omega^-\to\Lambda K^-$ followed by $\Lambda\to p\pi^-$ is considered. Finally we show that the inclusive angular distributions can be used to test spin assignment of the produced baryons.